Raising children in a nurturing environment with love, support, and empathy is every parent’s goal. For children with a disability, this kind of positive reinforcement can ensure that they grow up with an adequate sense of worth, self-assurance, and the will to persevere even in the face of difficulties. Parents of children with disabilities may find it challenging to deal with the paperwork from the Social Security Administration when going through the SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) process for their child.
Some helpful tips for parents of children with disabilities are: getting help from experts and support groups; speaking up for your child’s rights within medical and educational settings; promoting a welcoming environment at home; prioritizing self-care to avoid burnout; honoring your child’s accomplishments and talents; and finding the proper support and guidance to help with tasks, such as managing SSDI benefits.
This article will provide additional tips for parenting a child with disabilities, including how to navigate services like SSDI and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
1. Become a Specialist
Research and stay updated with programs, therapies, and educational approaches for people with disabilities, including understanding SSDI benefits for children and the SSDI process, if applicable. In the beginning, you might be tempted to turn to others for assistance, including teachers, therapists, or doctors. However, when it comes to locating the resources your child needs to learn and access services like SSDI or SSI, you are the authority when it comes to your child’s disability and understand their condition the most. It’s better to become a specialist in your child’s condition first so you can be a better advocate for them, then seek the help of experts.
The internet is filled with resources that you can tailor to meet your children’s needs, and there are countless government programs, such as SSDI, non-profits, and support groups that can provide help for parents of children with disabilities.
2. Don’t Underestimate Your Impact
Children will always take after their parents and imitate their actions. Your child is more likely to adopt your point of view if you approach disability hurdles with optimism, diligence, and humor, or at the very least if you regard them as speed bumps rather than obstacles.
Put all your effort into figuring out what works for your child and doing your best to apply it.
SSI provides monthly payments to people with disabilities who have little or no income or resources. Children younger than age 18 can qualify if they have a childhood disability for a medical condition or combination of conditions that meets Social Security’s definition of disability. Although their income and resources must fall within the eligibility limits, this type of help can have a huge impact on what type of services or help you can get for a child with disabilities.
3. Be A Spokesperson For Your Child
To get your child the necessary help, therapies, resources, and others, including securing SSDI benefits, you might need to get help from an advocate or a Social Security disability attorney who can help you navigate the system and get the benefits your child needs.
Even though it could get difficult, remaining engaged in your child’s therapies can greatly help your child. Also, remain composed, rational, and open-minded when applying for or seeking help.
Being involved in your community will also ensure you gain the social capital necessary to support your family and others who could benefit from community measures to improve the lives of disabled children, including understanding the different types of programs available for children with disabilities, such as SSDI.
4. Get Involved With Your Child’s Education
Your part in your child’s schooling is more crucial than ever in this era of constant budget cuts and underfunded institutions. This includes ensuring your child receives any SSDI benefits they might be eligible for. You should avoid letting an outsider be in charge of giving your child the resources they need to learn while you just sit back and do nothing. You should actively participate in your child’s schooling if you can.
For children with severe learning disabilities, the state rules now require schools to create an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that provides some educational value but may not maximize student progress if a clearly defined educational need exists. Some parents do not feel this is enough and therefore apply for other services, such as SSDI.
You can make sure that your child gets the greatest support possible at school by familiarizing yourself with special education regulations and your school’s service policies, including understanding how SSDI benefits might be of help. Many other adjustments and support programs may be available for your child. Still, an educational institution may not offer them until you request them.
Special Education Laws For Children with DisabilitiesIn The United States
You can begin to provide your child with the best opportunity by learning and understanding helpful legislation and laws that seek to provide help for parents of children with disabilities.
Below are the top six that affect the law governing special education and children with disabilities, which can be helpful when seeking to apply for SSDI benefits as well.
The Individuals With Disability Education Act (IDEA)
The American notion of special education is fundamentally based on this law. The Education of All Handicapped Children Act, approved in 1975, was the original name of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
The statute was first amended by Congress in 1990 and last amended in 2004. IDEA outlines important concepts defending the rights of children who are disabled while offering money for special education programs, including
- Every child has the legal right to a Free, Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
- The least restrictive environment (LEP) is where education for learners with disabilities should occur. It can involve integrating children with special needs into mainstream classes as much as is feasible.
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP), a guiding plan specific to each child and outlining the services they must get, is required for every child seeking special education assistance. The IEP should be periodically reviewed and modified.
The 1973 Rehabilitation Act, Section 504
The next federal statute you are probably aware of for children with disabilities after special education, as defined by the IDEA, is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Being a civil rights law, its main objective is to forbid prejudice against children because of their disabilities.
For children with challenges, Section 504 provides assistance and accommodations, frequently through changes to educational plans.
While Section 504 is broader and covers a variety of disabilities that may limit an individual’s access to school, IDEA is more precise in defining the conditions that qualify an individual for special education assistance.
Additionally, it stipulates that learners with disabilities must have equal opportunities for educational services. The requirements for 504 plans and opposition to the plans diverge significantly from the IDEA’s due process guarantees.
Not all students eligible for special education services are entitled to protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Family And Educational Rights Privacy Act (FEPRA)
This federal statute may be crucial as you develop your argument if you are having trouble convincing the school system to provide your child with the necessary services. In some circumstances, it also defends the right of students to privacy.
It gives parents the right to view their child’s academic records and request that information be changed if found inaccurate.
The law safeguards privacy by requesting written authorization before disclosing data from a child’s educational files to anyone other than a few who need to access the records for legitimate purposes.
The Assistive Technology Act
This law, which was first passed in 1998 and renewed in 2004, offers money for technology that enables individuals with disabilities to have equal access to chances for education, employment, and other areas that are open to individuals without disabilities.
Large-format computer keyboards, voice recognition software, voice amplifiers, hearing aids, magnification devices, reaching devices, walkers, medical equipment, adaptive sports equipment, and other technologies may be covered by the Assistive Technology Act.
Many gadgets could be considered as long as they aim to improve the functional capacities of individuals with impairments.
The 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Another ground-breaking human rights statute that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It applies to everyone with a disability, not just children in school. However, schools and businesses must comply with its standards for public accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
Many people’s first associations with the ADA are parking places for individuals with disabilities, accessible restrooms, and staircases or ramps at buildings that should be wheelchair accessible.
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The main federal statute defining how public schools are evaluated and held responsible for student accomplishment is the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) from 2015. It applies to general education as well. All public education is covered by it. However, ensuring all students have equal opportunities is one of the law’s main objectives.
A school’s performance is partly evaluated by how various student groups operate under the ESSA. Therefore, if you believe your school is not meeting its commitments to students with special needs or disabilities, this law may assist you in advocating for change.
The Individuals With Disability Education Act (IDEA), The 1973 Rehabilitation Act (Section 504), the Family And Educational Rights Privacy Act (FEPRA), The Assistive Technology Act, The 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) are all critical pieces of legislation that can affect your child’s education and potentially their eligibility for SSDI benefits.
Understanding these laws is as important as understanding the SSDI process when advocating for your child’s rights.
5. Recognize The Educational Institute’s Boundaries
It can be a mistake for parents to focus all their resources and efforts on hospitals, treatment centers, and educational institutions as the main treatment for their child’s disability. Understanding that your child’s school environment probably will never be ideal and finding the right accommodations is best.
You may experience emotional turmoil and stress because your child might not get the support and amenities you had in mind for them due to a lack of financing and too many rules. Therefore, it is important to find out what support systems exist that can be utilized to better meet the needs of your children, and if SSDI might be able to help cover some of the expenses required to give your child a better support system.
6. Consider Personal Success Instead Of Academic Achievement
Success might mean different things to different people, and you likely have more ambitions for your child than academic success. Perhaps you wish for your child’s potential to include a joyful household and a sense of fulfillment, as well as fulfilling work and healthy relationships.
The reality is that a successful life, instead of just academic achievements, depends not only on educational institutions but also on traits like a positive sense of self, the ability to form positive connections with others, an openness to reach out for and embrace help, and perseverance in the face of obstacles in addition to the surrounding environment. These traits are harder to measure than grades and exam results.
The world has seen numerous amazing individuals who were disabled and highly successful. The following are a few of these:
- Stephen Hawking one of the most renowned physicists in the history of mankind, was diagnosed with ALS at the age of 21
- Ralph Braun, an individual who flourished in giving people with impairments the freedom of accessibility, was born with muscular dystrophy. He was the late founder of Braun Corporation, one of the top producers of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and was dubbed the ‘Champion of Change’ by President Barack Obama.
- Frida Kahlo, one of the most well-known artists of the 20th century, was a Mexican artist who suffered from disabilities as a result of having polio as a young child and a terrible accident as a teenager.
7. Determine Your Child’s Learning Style
Everybody has a different learning style, whether they have learning disabilities or not. Some individuals remember best through visual learning or reading, while others learn best by hearing or doing. Finding a child’s best learning style will enable you to assist them.
Which learning style does your child prefer: visual, aural, or kinesthetic? Once you have identified their preferred learning method, you can ensure that it is reinforced in the classroom and at home. You can identify your child’s learning style using the list below:
For individuals who prefer visual learning tactics:
- Reading or watching is the best way to learn
- When information is presented and examined visually rather than verbally, they perform well
- Gain from written notes, instructions, charts, maps, diagrams, and photographs
- They may enjoy writing, reading, and drawing and are frequently spellers
For auditory learners:
- Listening is the best way to learn
- Perform well on oral reports and assessments, as well as in lecture-based learning contexts
- Take advantage of class discussions, oral instructions, and study groups
- May enjoy performing on stage, learning new languages, and listening to music
Lastly, kinesthetic learners:
- Benefit most from hands-on learning and movement
- When they can move, touch, investigate, and create to learn
- Gain from practical exercises, laboratory lessons, costumes, skills, and field visits
- May enjoy arts and crafts, drama, dancing, athletics, and martial arts
Suggestions On How To Talk To Your Child’s School
Follow the following tips to gain insight into how to talk to your child’s school before and during the admissions process if your child has a disability:
Be A Good Listener
Let the administration of the school express their thoughts. Ask for an explanation if you do not understand what anyone is expressing.
Define Your Objectives
Before discussing, make a list of the goals you have. Determine what matters most and what you are willing to compromise on.
Offer Fresh Remedies
You can benefit from being new when it comes to navigating the system and might have fresh insights. Find samples of what other educational institutions have accomplished through research, find out what programs the school might be able to apply for, or see if SSDI might be able to help your child get outside help.
Maintain Your Attention
While you only think about your child, the educational system is dealing with many children, many with severe disabilities. Assist in keeping the discussion focused on your child. Keep mentioning your child’s name as often as you can rather than falling for generalizations, and avoid the impulse to engage in broader conflicts.
Never Lose Hope
Try again if you are not happy with the institution’s reply.
Final Words
Parenting a child with disabilities involves a journey that calls for commitment, adaptability, and persistence. You can foster a growth-promoting environment for your child by becoming knowledgeable about education legislation, the benefits and support systems available for your child, such as SSDI, speaking up for their needs, and emphasizing their capabilities.
Keep in mind the examples of successful people with disabilities who overcame obstacles. To further accelerate your child’s success, adapt your strategy to fit their learning preferences and work effectively with the school, doctors, therapists, etc. Accept problems with as much optimism as possible, knowing that your dedication can help your extraordinary child have a future filled with opportunities.
